New to the forum with a new machine
Hi, glad to be here. Diagnosed in 2009 and have been using a ResMed Elite II until 2 weeks ago. It konked out, so decided to buy a new machine. I received it two days ago. It's the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset for her. My prescription stated the pressures be set at 10/11 + or - 1. I set it at 12, as that was on my other machine. I am attaching last night's data. I hope I'm doing things correctly, and I'm sure someone can set me straight if not. Thanks for any and all suggestions to optimize my treatment.
Cheers!
Lynda
[attachment=4073]
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Hi WhoKnew,
Welcome to the forum.
I am no expert at reading Sleepyhead so hang around for others.
Looks as if you could open it up a bit though, from 10 to 15 but as I said I am no expert.
I am NOT a doctor. I try to help, but do not take what I say as medical advice.
Every journey, however large or small starts with the first step.
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Welcome friend.
How does the data compare with your last machine? Is it better/worse?
Now the first thing that jumped out at me was that the pressure pretty much stayed on 12 the entire night. That means the machine thinks the pressure should be higher and you are limiting it. (By the way, the machine is NOT always right about that). But, since it is indicating it wants to go higher, I would suggest slowly upping the max pressure each night and see how it affects your RDI. (RDI is AHI + RERAs)
Also, I say this to everyone, try wearing a soft cervical collar a couple nights and see how it affects you. Wearing the collar holds your chin shut and limits tilting your head forward. Just a cheap 3" soft collar from Walmart will work. It reduced my RDI by 2/3.
Best of luck.
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Thanks for the reply. I find my AHI's much lower with this machine. Was running anywhere for 4 to 7 or so with the old one. I'll try opening up my limits. That's sort of what I thought as well, but wanted some verification. Don't know about that collar thing though. While I can see how it would be helpful, I don't know that Walmart up here in Canada Land sells them, and I'm pretty sure they are more expensive in drugstores.....I'll see. Thanks once again!
Lynda
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Thanks for the welcome. I'm thinking I need to increase the upper pressure limit as well. Just wanting a few opinions from people more familiar with the SleepyHead software. Interestingly, the ResMed online information is scoring me 100% both nights. Nice to be perfect!!! LOL
Lynda
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Your lower pressure limit at 4cm H2O is very low. I would experiment with raising the minimum to 7 as it appears you have EPR of 3 and this will bring the exhale down to 4cm H2O effectively. This might knock off any obstructions at the lower pressures-can't see as the picture is too small on my little MacBook Air.
How do you feel with the new machine?
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RE: New to the forum with a new machine
(12-22-2017, 12:59 PM)WhoKnew Wrote: Thanks for the reply. I find my AHI's much lower with this machine. Was running anywhere for 4 to 7 or so with the old one. I'll try opening up my limits. That's sort of what I thought as well, but wanted some verification. Don't know about that collar thing though. While I can see how it would be helpful, I don't know that Walmart up here in Canada Land sells them, and I'm pretty sure they are more expensive in drugstores.....I'll see. Thanks once again!
Lynda
I ordered mine from Walmart.
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Good Luck
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RE: New to the forum with a new machine
Thanks for your response. I feel fine with the new machine. Actually, all through this OSA thing, I was relatively asymptomatic. The only thing I really noticed was a drop in my blood pressure after starting treatment which was my main health concern. It was my husband who told me I stopped breathing a lot during sleep. I also snored terribly. So, off to the sleep clinic I went, and sure enough, I needed CPAP. I will try changing my parameters as you suggested and see what happens. Great to have some help!
Cheers,
Lynda
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
The lower limit is not 4.0, but he is using ramp which is probably unnecessary. The event rate at 6-12 with EPR 3 is pretty good, however the machine remains near the maximum pressure all night. Pressure in this case is driven by flow limitations, and all residual events are hypopnea. Part of the reason you might need higher pressure is that you are using EPR (exhale pressure relief) at 3. While that is comfortable, it keeps your exhale pressure low, and might be allowing some events to get through.
I don't see any compelling reason to change your settings, however a maximum pressure of 14 might eventually be useful for improving the obstructive events. There is no rush to make changes, and results may improve without any changes at all. The problem with increasing pressure is that with flow limitations, your machine will increase pressure, so it's good to keep a limit on pressure to avoid the machine automatically increasing pressure beyond your actual needs.
RE: New to the forum with a new machine
(12-22-2017, 01:36 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: The lower limit is not 4.0, but he is using ramp which is probably unnecessary. The event rate at 6-12 with EPR 3 is pretty good, however the machine remains near the maximum pressure all night. Pressure in this case is driven by flow limitations, and all residual events are hypopnea. Part of the reason you might need higher pressure is that you are using EPR (exhale pressure relief) at 3. While that is comfortable, it keeps your exhale pressure low, and might be allowing some events to get through.
I don't see any compelling reason to change your settings, however a maximum pressure of 14 might eventually be useful for improving the obstructive events. There is no rush to make changes, and results may improve without any changes at all. The problem with increasing pressure is that with flow limitations, your machine will increase pressure, so it's good to keep a limit on pressure to avoid the machine automatically increasing pressure beyond your actual needs.
Thanks so much! I think I'll keep my settings as they are, and watch the results for a week or so. I am feeling just fine, really like the new machine, and will probably turn the ramping off, as I don't think it's necessary either. Didn't bother with it on my older machine. That whole EPR thing is something I need to read more about and review. On the whole, I'm very happy with the results and with the machine. I did a lot of research online before purchasing and ended up with a price point we could live with and a machine that was fairly highly rated. Sure is quiet.......
Lynda
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